The finite-temperature Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation often breaks symmetries of the underlying many-body Hamiltonian. Restricting the calculation of the HFB partition function to a subspace with good quantum numbers through projection after variation restores some of the correlations lost in breaking these symmetries, although effects of the broken symmetries such as sharp kinks at phase transitions remain. However, the most general projection after variation formula in the finite-temperature HFB approximation is limited by a sign ambiguity. Here, we extend the Pfaffian formula for the many-body traces of HFB density operators introduced by L. M. Robledo in Ref. [1] to eliminate this sign ambiguity and evaluate the more complicated many-body traces required in projection after variation in the most general HFB case. We validate our method through a proof-of-principle calculation of the particle-number-projected HFB thermal energy in a simple model.The finite-temperature Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation often breaks symmetries of the underlying many-body Hamiltonian. Restricting the calculation of the HFB partition function to a subspace with good quantum numbers through projection after variation restores some of the correlations lost in breaking these symmetries, although effects of the broken symmetries such as sharp kinks at phase transitions remain. However, the most general projection after variation formula in the finite-temperature HFB approximation is limited by a sign ambiguity. Here, we extend the Pfaffian formula for the many-body traces of HFB density operators introduced by L. M. Robledo in Ref. [1] to eliminate this sign ambiguity and evaluate the more complicated many-body traces required in projection after variation in the most general HFB case. We validate our method through a proof-of-principle calculation of the particle-number-projected HFB thermal energy in a simple model.

Jun 28, 20170 citations

Particle-number projection in the finite-temperature mean-field approximation

P. Fanto, Y. Alhassid, G. F. Bertsch

Finite-temperature mean-field theories, such as the Hartree--Fock (HF) and Hartree--Fock--Bogoliubov (HFB) theories, are formulated in the grand-canonical ensemble, and their applications to the calculation of statistical properties of nuclei such as level densities require a reduction to the canonical ensemble. In a previous publication [Y. Alhassid et al., Phys. Rev. C 93, 044320 (2016)], it was found that ensemble-reduction methods based on the saddle-point approximation are not reliable in cases in which rotational symmetry or particle-number conservation is broken. In particular, the calculated HFB canonical entropy can be unphysical as a result of the inherent violation of particle-number conservation. In this work, we derive a general formula for exact particle-number projection after variation in the HFB approximation, assuming that the HFB Hamiltonian preserves time-reversal symmetry. This formula reduces to simpler known expressions in the HF and Bardeen--Cooper--Schrieffer (BCS) limits of the HFB. We apply this formula to calculate the thermodynamic quantities needed for level densities in the heavy nuclei $^{162}\mathrm{Dy}, ^{148}\mathrm{Sm}$ , and $^{150}\mathrm{Sm}$ . We find that the exact particle-number projection gives better physical results and is significantly more computationally efficient than the saddle-point methods. However, the fundamental limitations caused by broken symmetries in the mean-field approximation are still present.Finite-temperature mean-field theories, such as the Hartree--Fock (HF) and Hartree--Fock--Bogoliubov (HFB) theories, are formulated in the grand-canonical ensemble, and their applications to the calculation of statistical properties of nuclei such as level densities require a reduction to the canonical ensemble. In a previous publication [Y. Alhassid et al., Phys. Rev. C 93, 044320 (2016)], it was found that ensemble-reduction methods based on the saddle-point approximation are not reliable in cases in which rotational symmetry or particle-number conservation is broken. In particular, the calculated HFB canonical entropy can be unphysical as a result of the inherent violation of particle-number conservation. In this work, we derive a general formula for exact particle-number projection after variation in the HFB approximation, assuming that the HFB Hamiltonian preserves time-reversal symmetry. This formula reduces to simpler known expressions in the HF and Bardeen--Cooper--Schrieffer (BCS) limits of the HFB. We apply this formula to calculate the thermodynamic quantities needed for level densities in the heavy nuclei $^{162}\mathrm{Dy}, ^{148}\mathrm{Sm}$, and $^{150}\mathrm{Sm}$. We find that the exact particle-number projection gives better physical results and is significantly more computationally efficient than the saddle-point methods. However, the fundamental limitations caused by broken symmetries in the mean-field approximation are still present.

arXiv:1610.08954Physical Review CJul 7, 201718 citations

Pairing in Finite Systems: Beyond the HFB Theory

L. M. Robledo, G. F. Bertsch

The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation is very useful for treating both long- and short-range correlations in finite quantum fermion systems, but it must be extended in order to describe detailed spectroscopic properties. One problem is the symmetry-breaking character of the HFB approximation. We present a general and systematic way to restore symmetries and to extend the configuration space using pfaffian formulas for the many-body matrix elements. The advantage of those formulas is that the sign of the matrix elements is unambiguously determined. It is also helpful to extend the space of configurations by constraining the HFB solutions in some way. A powerful method for finding these constrained solutions is the gradient method, based on the generalized Thouless transformation. The gradient method also preserves the number parity of the Bogoliubov transformation, which facilitates the application of the theory to systems with odd particle number.The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approximation is very useful for treating both long- and short-range correlations in finite quantum fermion systems, but it must be extended in order to describe detailed spectroscopic properties. One problem is the symmetry-breaking character of the HFB approximation. We present a general and systematic way to restore symmetries and to extend the configuration space using pfaffian formulas for the many-body matrix elements. The advantage of those formulas is that the sign of the matrix elements is unambiguously determined. It is also helpful to extend the space of configurations by constraining the HFB solutions in some way. A powerful method for finding these constrained solutions is the gradient method, based on the generalized Thouless transformation. The gradient method also preserves the number parity of the Bogoliubov transformation, which facilitates the application of the theory to systems with odd particle number.

arXiv:1205.4443WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooksMar 1, 20133 citations

Overlap formula between the HFB vacua for the symmetry restoration

Zao-Chun Gao, Qing-Li Hu, Y. S. Chen

Using the Pfaffian identity, the formula for the overlap between Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) vacua, recently proposed by Bertsch and Robledo [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 108}, 042505(2012)] is deduced into a simpler form. This new formula does not explicitly depend on the Bloch-Messiah decomposition of the HFB transformation, but it requires the existence of the $V^{-1}$ matrix. It presents the significant convenience of application for the symmetry restoration in the wave functions of general Bogoliubov form. Numerical calculations show that this formula is able to reproduce the results of the Onishi formula with the same accuracy as well as having the correct sign. It is also shown that a small number of the integrating mesh points ( $N_\text{mesh}=16$ ) is enough to perform the particle number projection even for the heavy nuclear system.Using the Pfaffian identity, the formula for the overlap between Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) vacua, recently proposed by Bertsch and Robledo [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 108}, 042505(2012)] is deduced into a simpler form. This new formula does not explicitly depend on the Bloch-Messiah decomposition of the HFB transformation, but it requires the existence of the $V^{-1}$ matrix. It presents the significant convenience of application for the symmetry restoration in the wave functions of general Bogoliubov form. Numerical calculations show that this formula is able to reproduce the results of the Onishi formula with the same accuracy as well as having the correct sign. It is also shown that a small number of the integrating mesh points ($N_\text{mesh}=16$) is enough to perform the particle number projection even for the heavy nuclear system.

Jun 13, 20130 citations

Symmetry restoration of HFB states using projection

Carl Frostenson

The restoration of particle number and angular momentum symmetry using projection operators has been theoretically investigated for mean-field Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) states. A computer code for the projection of particle number was then implemented. To do so efficiently and avoid the sign ambiguity of the Onishi formula, the computation of overlap between quasi-particle vaccums using Pfaffians was investigated. Different algorithms for the the Pfaffian from~\cite{GBBertschRobledo},\cite{Wimmer}, was tested for performance and accuracy. For the same reason different truncations of the model space was also investigated. The particle number projector was then implemented in \textit{HOSPHE} \cite{Carlsson} for calculations of ground states pertaining to an effective Quadrupole plus Pairing Hamiltonian calculated using the SLy4 parametrization of the Skyrme interaction.The restoration of particle number and angular momentum symmetry using projection operators has been theoretically investigated for mean-field Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) states. A computer code for the projection of particle number was then implemented. To do so efficiently and avoid the sign ambiguity of the Onishi formula, the computation of overlap between quasi-particle vaccums using Pfaffians was investigated. Different algorithms for the the Pfaffian from~\cite{GBBertschRobledo},\cite{Wimmer}, was tested for performance and accuracy. For the same reason different truncations of the model space was also investigated. The particle number projector was then implemented in \textit{HOSPHE} \cite{Carlsson} for calculations of ground states pertaining to an effective Quadrupole plus Pairing Hamiltonian calculated using the SLy4 parametrization of the Skyrme interaction.

Jan 1, 20190 citations

Zero-pairing and zero-temperature limits of finite-temperature Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov theory

T. Duguet, Wouter Ryssens

Background: Recently, variational Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) mean-field equations were shown to possess a mathematically well-defined zero-pairing limit, independently of the closed- or open-shell character of the system under consideration. This limit is nontrivial for open-shell systems such that HFB theory does not reduce to the Hartree-Fock (HF) formalism in all cases.Purpose: The present work extends this analysis to finite-temperature HFB (FTHFB) theory by investigating the behavior of this more general formalism in the combined zero-temperature and zero-pairing limits.Methods: The zero-pairing and zero-temperature limits of the FTHFB statistical density operator constrained to carry an arbitrary (integer) number of particles A on average is worked out analytically and realized numerically using a two-nucleon interaction.Results: While the FTHFB density operator reduces to the projector corresponding to a pure HF Slater determinant for closed-shell nuclei, the FTHFB formalism does not reduce to the HF theory in all cases in the zero-temperature and zero-pairing limits, i.e., for open-shell nuclei. However, the fact that a nucleus can be of open-shell character in these joint limits is necessarily the result of some symmetry restrictions. Whenever it is the case, the nontrivial description obtained for open-shell systems is shown to depend on the order with which both limits are taken, i.e., the two limits do not commute for these systems. When the zero-temperature limit is performed first, the FTHFB density operator is demoted to a projector corresponding to a pure state made out of a linear combination of a finite number of Slater determinants with different (even) numbers of particles. When the zero-pairing limit is performed first, the FTHFB density operator remains a statistical mixture of a finite number of Slater determinants with both even and odd particle numbers. While the entropy (pairing density) is zero in the first (second) case, it does not vanish in the second (first) case in spite of the temperature (pairing) tending towards zero. The difference between both limits can have striking consequences for the (thermal) expectation values of observables. For instance, the particle-number variance does not vanish in either case and has limiting values that differ by a factor of two in both cases.Conclusions: While in the textbook situation associated with closed-shell nuclei Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (finite-temperature Hartree-Fock) theory reduces to Hartree-Fock theory in the zero-pairing (zero-temperature) limit, the present analysis demonstrates that a nontrivial and unexpected limit is obtained for this formalism in open-shell systems. This result sheds a new light on certain aspects of this otherwise very well-studied many-body formalism.Background: Recently, variational Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) mean-field equations were shown to possess a mathematically well-defined zero-pairing limit, independently of the closed- or open-shell character of the system under consideration. This limit is nontrivial for open-shell systems such that HFB theory does not reduce to the Hartree-Fock (HF) formalism in all cases.Purpose: The present work extends this analysis to finite-temperature HFB (FTHFB) theory by investigating the behavior of this more general formalism in the combined zero-temperature and zero-pairing limits.Methods: The zero-pairing and zero-temperature limits of the FTHFB statistical density operator constrained to carry an arbitrary (integer) number of particles A on average is worked out analytically and realized numerically using a two-nucleon interaction.Results: While the FTHFB density operator reduces to the projector corresponding to a pure HF Slater determinant for closed-shell nuclei, the FTHFB formalism does not reduce to the HF theory in all cases in the zero-temperature and zero-pairing limits, i.e., for open-shell nuclei. However, the fact that a nucleus can be of open-shell character in these joint limits is necessarily the result of some symmetry restrictions. Whenever it is the case, the nontrivial description obtained for open-shell systems is shown to depend on the order with which both limits are taken, i.e., the two limits do not commute for these systems. When the zero-temperature limit is performed first, the FTHFB density operator is demoted to a projector corresponding to a pure state made out of a linear combination of a finite number of Slater determinants with different (even) numbers of particles. When the zero-pairing limit is performed first, the FTHFB density operator remains a statistical mixture of a finite number of Slater determinants with both even and odd particle numbers. While the entropy (pairing density) is zero in the first (second) case, it does not vanish in the second (first) case in spite of the temperature (pairing) tending towards zero. The difference between both limits can have striking consequences for the (thermal) expectation values of observables. For instance, the particle-number variance does not vanish in either case and has limiting values that differ by a factor of two in both cases.Conclusions: While in the textbook situation associated with closed-shell nuclei Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (finite-temperature Hartree-Fock) theory reduces to Hartree-Fock theory in the zero-pairing (zero-temperature) limit, the present analysis demonstrates that a nontrivial and unexpected limit is obtained for this formalism in open-shell systems. This result sheds a new light on certain aspects of this otherwise very well-studied many-body formalism.

arXiv:2008.01859Physical Review COct 27, 20207 citations

^{162}\mathrm{Dy}, ^{148}\mathrm{Sm}

, and

^{150}\mathrm{Sm}

. We find that the exact particle-number projection gives better physical results and is significantly more computationally efficient than the saddle-point methods. However, the fundamental limitations caused by broken symmetries in the mean-field approximation are still present.

V^{-1}

matrix. It presents the significant convenience of application for the symmetry restoration in the wave functions of general Bogoliubov form. Numerical calculations show that this formula is able to reproduce the results of the Onishi formula with the same accuracy as well as having the correct sign. It is also shown that a small number of the integrating mesh points (

N_\text{mesh}=16

) is enough to perform the particle number projection even for the heavy nuclear system.